Just go for a ride with no goal. No training, no mileage, no destination, no time schedule. Just get on your bike and go down a road. Ride through a puddle, cruise through a park, go grab a coffee. Just hop on and go.

The summer's heat was tough for me and I definitely was not motivated to ride. Result? I gained weight, got weaker, and am now struggling to get back into shape. I can't seem to ride with anyone right now as I have gotten so slow... do you want this to happen to you? Think about it - get on your bike!!!

For me, I do well when I set specific goals, even if there's no end result other than the achievement of the goal.

The C-A-M challenge is a great example. It got me out on my bike on July 30, when I might otherwise have blown off riding. Right now, I've hit all my annual goals (total mileage, Triple Crown), so I've been a bit lazy. Meaning it's time to set new goals.

OK I am riding when I get home. It might only be on rollers in my garage but I will get on my bike. That five weak program you posted was pretty convincing. MUST GET Motivated!!! I will report back tomorrow what I accomplish. I expect a bashing if I report nothing. That is what will motivate me tonight. Once I get going again I will be fine. Thanks for the encouragement!

I love to ride and the feeling I get when the endorphins set in. I also love the social aspect of it and the experience I have when with friends on amazing, what I consider epic rides (epic is subjective and each person has his/her own idea of what that means - mountain rides, long distance events, races, etc.). Basically, if I feel like I do not want to ride, I mix it up and try doing different types of rides (i.e. climb one day and a flat fast ride the next). Recently, I was feeling angry and irritated on a couple of rides (they were both solo rides). I just wasn't digging the "gotta push harder, get more miles, I have another double..." thoughts that I was basing my training on. So, now I've decided to try a mountain bike ride, no more doubles this year, and a more relaxed approach to my riding. I'll still sign up for the mountain climbs and the 100+ mile rides as I personally enjoy those, but if I don't want to do a ride for any reason, I simply won't.

So, I agree with Mo' - just get on your bike and ride...for fun, without a thought of gain, and see if you can just find enjoyment riding in some area you really enjoy. Or join on a group ride where you dig the people and are not all that focused on what the ride is specifically. Eventually, you'll either move past the laziness and apathy to riding or you'll find that you'd rather take up rowing as your main form of exercise and enjoyment.

As stated before, having a goal is a great motivator. Another thing that I've used with running just to get out the door. Tell yourself that if you go out for a ride and you don't feel good, or you're tired or whatever, that you can turn around and come home. Once you get out there, chances are you'll stay riding.

I will answer the wind, I will leave with the tide
I'll be out on the road, Every chance I can ride
~Bob Seger~ "Wait For Me"

Don't ride if you don't want to. You already have a job. It's normal to burn out this time of year. You know the days are getting shorter and soon the time nazis will steal our waning daylight so you feel obligated to ride. But you are not. Just enjoy the rides you can get in when you really want to ride. Crit racing starts in Ferbuary. That's four months out. Time to rest relax and start the slow steady build that will drop you on the front of the season like a run away train. It's base mile season now. Long steady miles. Not neccesarily every day.